Alzheimer's patient, 87, stranded by fall ‘not a priority' for ambulance

AN Alzheimer's patient who had a fall was refused a 999 ambulance callout after being stuck for hours injured and alone on his bedroom floor.

- Cyril Dixon

Jim Kermack's family were told he was not an emergency despite a possible blow to the head and internal bleeding.

The 87-year-old fell at night in a flat where he lives alone.

Carers visit three times daily and when one did not get an answer to the doorbell, his son Andrew was called, and he found Jim half-dressed and unable to move. He rang 999 on the advice of a local health centre but East of England Ambulance Service Trust said his father was not a priority. The call handler said Andrew could drive Jim to hospital, call 111 or wait at least two hours.